The crew of the Andromeda Ascendant arrive in the Seefra System, via the Route of Ages a place filled with nine identical planets and two suns. Dylan manages to regain his crew and Andromeda but she is without power nor are there any slip points for them to travel.

They eventually discover that Seefra-1 is actually the long-lost Tarn-Vedra. Apparently, the ancient Vedrans had design the other eight identical planets and Methus suns in preparation for the true sun to return

Trance Gemini has no apparent memory of who she was until she meets the Avatar of Tarn-Vedra's Moon, Ione, allowing her sun to come to Seefra. Unfortunately, others of her kind, the Lambent Kith Nebula want her to return to them but she refused. In return, they imprison Trance in Methus-2 and put a double in her place.

Eventually, the crew is given a chance to return to Known Space. However, they learn that the MagogWorld Ship is crippled and the Drago-Kazov and Sabra-Jaguar prides are on their way to Tarazed to wipe out the Commonwealth. After a climactic battle, it is revealed that the Nebula is under the control of the Abyss, who has been directing all events through the Route. However, the Vedrans were aware of its existence and modified their sun to destroy it. With it gone, the Route turned into a slipstream portal, allowing the Commonwealth fleet to return home.